The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-11-10

certaiu that we haQ Iallen LII Will Oue OL
the Sandwich group, none OF us had ever
soen ,tMs particular island before. But
f6r the help of very powerful current
which caught the brig as she was being
hurled upon the weather side of the island
not man of us would have lived to tell
the story. This current ran us along the
shore and whirled us into bay on the lee
side. where our anchors found good hold
ing ground and brought us up in safety.
It was two days before the storm blew
itself out and the sea went down. We
lay within half mfe>of the shore, and
had seen people on the bench hour
In the day. At night they had built fires
opposite our berth, as il to say that they
were our friends and to encourage us to
be of stout heart From this circum-
stance our captain argued that we had
NOT been driven to the west as far as at
first supposed, and that we he'd at least
two islands between Us and Big Canntbal.
When the seq had gone down sufficient to
warrant US in lowering boat was
ordered to take the yawl and four men
and pull for the beach and ascertain our
whereabouts. The weather had con-
tinued dark and cloudy and no observa-
tion could be taken. Iwent away in the
boat without the slightest misgiyings,
and without firearm Of any description.
= We had settled it that there was nothing
s to fear, and anticipated no trouble in
engaging native craft to run for some
Of the island ports and secure us the ser
vices of q steam craft.
Almost opposite where the hull of the
brig lay pitching at her anchor was the
mouth Of creek, and, although there
was bar and the surf was rolling pretty
high. we entered the creek without acci-
dent. Just as we were going over the
bar It struck me as curious that none OF
the natives had been out to visit Us. 1t
wouldn't have been anything extra Of a
swim for native, while their little crafts
viii live in sea which would roll man
of war rails under. 1t was now 10 O'Clock
In the forenoon, and remembered that
we had not seen native on the Deach
since soon after daylight. There was
no one in sight now, and we ran
sup the creek about cables length
and grounded. There were two native
boats there, but not person In sight. l
reasoned that village must be close at
Land, and, leaving two OF the men to care
for the boat, I took two others with me
and set out to follow broad and well
beaten path, which I believed led to the
village. In this was correct. We had
not gone above half o mile when we came
tn the village. We had scarcely caught
sight Of the first huts when we were our
selves discovered, and three minutes later
we're surrounded by 100 dusky people. I
anticipated q friendly welcome, and was
GOOD deal put out at our reception. Most
of the people were old men, women and
children. There were not above five or
six middle aged men. A circle was at
once formed about Us, and as soon as they
saw that we were not armed we were
seized. flung down and tied hand and
foot. had served with Kanakas aboard
of whalers and knew the dialect of the
islanders pretty well It was therefore
with horror that soon learned we were
on Big Cannibal island, and that the nas
tiyes were greatly rejoiced at the prospect
of the feast before them. I attempted to
saw something, but the noise OF their
shonts drowned my words, and each Of
MS was hustled of by himself to differ
ent hut.
Twas taken in hand by two stout fell,
lows, and when thrust into an empty hut
/ turned on them and asked for an ex-
plonation. They were dumfounded to
hear me using the dialect, and at once ex-
hfbited more friendly demeanor. They
had expected the brig to drive ashore, and
when she did not they feared she had too
large crew for them TO attack. They
wanted to know where she was from, how
many men she had aboard and what her
captain proposed doing. told them my
object in coming ashore, but they at once
gave me to understand they would do
nothing. It would be far better for them
If the brig was to drive ashore. I offered
as high as $500 in gold if they would get
word of our condition to some civilized
port, but the fellows were immovable.
They were a set Of outlaws, and held no
intercourse except with the smaller island.
A ship touched at the islands now and
then for water or vegetables, but the na-
tiyes kept out of sight and would do no
trading with the sailors. When asked
after the rest of tho villagers they replied
that upward Of forty men were ut the
smaller island. where wreck had driven
ashore about two weeks before, but were
expected homo next day..
'sAnd what do you propose to do with
1ls?n I finally inquired.
"Roast and eat YOU" was the curt re-
ply, as they fastened the door and left mo
alone.
It seemed more than likely. Why they
had not gone to the creek to attack and
capture the sailors and the yawl I could
not understand, but it seemed that our
coming among them rather surprised and
ratified them. When they had secured Us
they formed party Of twenty of the best
men and set off for the creek, and in halt
IN hour this party returned shouting and
singing. The sailors had suspected
nothing and were easily captured. One
of them was put into the hut with me,
and he told me they supposed they were
being invited to feast Of some sort, and
that the natives had my permission to
bring them to the village.
To be honest with the reader, did not
think these islanders were eaters OF
human flesh. I had been told so by
Kanakas and others, but the idea OF q
race of men living within days sail OF
civilization and given to such horrible
practices was too absurd for even sailor
Jacks belief. They might be pirates and
wreckers, but they certainly could not be
cannibals. am writing of twelve years
ago. If could not believe i then, who
can believe it now? And yet this dispatch
has lately been published all over the
country:
SAN Francisco, Sept. 5.-Information Is re-
ceived that on one Of the outlying islands OF the
Sandwich group massacre Of three boatmen be-
longing to the schooner Mary Anderson was
lately made by natives under exceptionally bru-
tai circumstances. The boatmen were first Sc
yerely wounded to render them helpless, tied
hand and foot, and then taken in canoes over to
another island and traded for pigs. Tho pur-
chasers then finished them and had cannibal
feast on their bodies.
I quieted the fears Of the sailor with me
by affirming that the natives yet hoped to
see the brig come ashore, and by holding
us they knew they would weaken the crew
and render the event more probable
Shortly after noon they gave us very
liberal meal, and from what outside words
I could catch up gathered thai inessen-
gers had been sent off to bring the vii
layers homo to attack the brig They
came before sunset, and they had scarcely
arrived when q couple of guards came